As the governments of the world convene this week to discuss them, they need to look at the evidence. But they also need to listen to the voices of the millions of girls and women around the world for whom access to contraception and safe abortion is integral to their survival, to their health and to their well-being.

The global community's response to sexual dysfunction should be equal for women and men, but it is not. This year marks 16 years since the introduction of Viagra. Today, the market includes more than 20 drugs to address male sexual dysfunction -- and not a single one for women.

Human rights law is a set of rules that countries voluntarily sign up for, and African states have signed up for. There is no ambiguity in the law in terms of protection against discrimination, including on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity.

No country can afford to forgo opportunities to make sexual and reproductive health and rights a reality in the 21st century. These priorities are keys to unleashing the full energies and talents of our people, especially women and young people.

Nearly 20 years after 179 nations committed to protect the reproductive health and rights of women and girls at the UN International Conference on Population and Development in Cairo, we have the chance to ask, "Has life really changed for women and girls?" The answer is decidedly mixed.

A new law that went into force on January 16 in the Philippines requires the government to meet the unmet need for voluntary family planning information and supplies, especially for the country's poorest people and marginalized groups.